Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) (31 page)

Lucien walked over and extended his hand.
Chalifour reached up and took it and hauled himself to his feet. He
dusted himself off, stands of hay clinging to his clothes and hair.
"George, bring me a pail of water if you would."

George trotted off, probably worried sick
about what had transpired here. After all, there was a peer laying
unconscious on the floor on his watch. George returned with a pail
of water and handed it to Chalifour. Chalifour upended it over
Perdan and poured the contents on his head.

Perdan's eyes flew open and he sat straight
up, sputtering and coughing. He wiped his eyes and mouth with his
forearm and looked maliciously at Chalifour.

"Now that I have your full and undivided
attention," Chalifour said coldly. "We've a few things to
discuss."

Perdan didn't respond for a full minute
during which time Chalifour's eyes bored into him. "What is it you
want?" Perdan asked in a sulky voice.

Chalifour stood with his feet apart and arms
crossed, looking at Perdan with distaste. "What do I want?"

"Yes, what do you want?" Perdan sneered. He
struggled to rise to his feet but Chalifour pushed him backwards
with his boot.

"No, I think I want you just where you are."
Chalifour stood over Perdan. "We both know you can only be tried by
the House of Lords. Be aware I will press charges there unless you
agree to my conditions."

"Which are?" Perdan glared up at him, eyes
bright with malice.

"First, you will sign a pledge declining any
future wagering on thoroughbreds, or any other kind of betting
which involves horses."

Perdan's face was mottled by rage. He shifted
on the floor and tried to stand. Chalifour pushed him back again
with his boot. "Tsk, tsk." He wagged a finger at him. "I'm not
finished yet"

Perdan's eyes shot up to meet his. "What do
you mean you're not finished yet?"

"There's still the matter of the money you've
taken from the Goodwins since last year. You will return every bit
of it."

Perdan sputtered. "I will not!" He rolled on
the floor and struggled again to stand.

Chalifour sighed and pushed him back again.
"You don't listen well, Perdan. You will pay every bit of that
money back and you will agree in writing to refrain from any
betting related to horse racing. And I will be submitting that
document to the Jockey Club. Otherwise, I, and these fine
gentlemen," Chalifour waved his hand to include Lucien and George,
"will be available to testify against you in the House of Lords.
Which will it be?"

Perdan's jaw tightened and his fists
clenched. "I will sign the document," he grated.

"Good. No time like the present. I took the
liberty of having my lawyer draft the document before I left Town.
Not only does the document make your pledge to refrain from future
gambling with respect to thoroughbreds, it also contains an
affidavit exonerating Lucien Goodwin of any wrong doing in any past
races and attests to his sterling reputation. It also has your
promise to repay your debt of honor, not that you have any, to
Lucien. I thought that would be the best term to use to describe
your repayment of money to the Goodwins. We will witness your
signature now."

Chalifour walked into the stall where he had
hidden and returned with a document, together with a sharpened
quill and ink pot. Dipping the quill into the ink, Chalifour handed
it and the document to Perdan.

"Sign it. Now." Chalifour said.

Perdan looked around at the men surrounding
him. His lips tightened with restrained fury, white showing around
their edges. Perdan pressed the document against a supporting post
and signed. Without a word, Perdan thrust the document back at
Chalifour and threw the quill on the ground.

"Rest assured I will present this document to
the Jockey Club and will apprise them of the situation. Now, also
rest assured I will collect you Monday morning. You will accompany
me and the Goodwins to your bank where you will withdraw the money
you owe them. We will then proceed to meet with members of the
Jockey Club where you will make your verbal pledge to them."

Chalifour turned to Lucien. "Is that
agreeable to you?"

"Most assuredly."

"Excellent. It's settled then." Chalifour
swiveled back to Perdan and asked him, "Anything you care to
add?"

Perdan stared at him sullenly.

"No? Good. By the way, I also understand
there are some questions as to your, shall we say, unusual
proficiency at cards. Be forewarned, I plan to inquire into your
other gambling activities as well."

Hatred and rage distorted Perdan's face.
Chalifour extended his hand to Perdan to help him from the ground.
Perdan ignored his outstretched hand and struggled to his feet on
his own. He dusted his coat and breeches with his hands and looked
at Chalifour with pure venom.

"There’s one matter we have yet to discuss,"
Chalifour said.

"Which is?"

Chalifour’s fist lashed out and he threw a
solid uppercut which connected with Perdan’s chin. Perdan’s head
snap back and Chalifour had a perverse feeling of satisfaction.
Perdan staggered backwards. Chalifour stuck his leg behind Perdan,
causing him to trip and fall back onto the floor of the
stables.

"What the bloody hell did you do that for?"
Perdan yelled.

Chalifour leaned in close to Perdan’s
surprised face and looked him squarely in the eye. "That," he said,
"was for your inappropriate suggestions to Miss Goodwin. Don’t ever
speak with her again. Ever. If you do, you’ll answer to me."

Chalifour glanced at Lucien, whose face had
darkened at this revelation. Lucien’s fists clenched and he stepped
forward, but Chalifour held his hand up and waved him off. "Are we
clear on this, Perdan?"

Perdan wiped a dribble of blood from the
corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. "Do you think I
might get up now? Or do you plan on striking me again?"

"Are we clear on this additional point?"

"We’re clear." Perdan’s voice had a barely
restrained fury.

"Good. Then I would suggest you stand before
I find another reason to bash you. I must admit that I rather like
doing that to you."

Perdan stood. A furtive look crossed his face
as if he was considering launching himself at Perdan, but a quick
glance at Lucien and George seemed to change his mind. Instead,
without another word, Perdan shouldered his way past Chalifour and
then George and stalked out.

George, who had been silent the entire time,
looked at them with wide eyes.

"Don’t trouble yourself, George. There will
be no repercussions for you." He handed him two sovereigns. "Should
you ever need a reference or employment, please feel free to visit
me."

George smiled gratefully. "Thank you,
m'lord."

Chalifour looked at Lucien and raised his
eyebrows. "So, do you want to race in the Derby tomorrow,
Lucien?"

"No, I'm not really up to the task just yet.
I still have dizzy spells and become disoriented when I move
quickly. Though I'd like to," Lucien said with a grin.

Chalifour found himself grinning back. Yes,
he did like Lucien. His humor was infectious. "Let's get you well
first. Maybe you'll be in shape to run at Newmarket."

"Do you want to ride Thor tomorrow?"

"Lucien, at other times I'd be tempted. But
I'm not familiar enough with Thor to be confident in riding him. I
think we'd be better served getting our affairs completely resolved
with Perdan and our own business dealings settled right now before
we take any more risks. Also, I thought you might want to know,
Lucy is here in Epsom." Lucien's head snapped up. "I believe you
both have some things you’d like to speak with one another about,
sooner rather than later, I imagine. My participation in the race
would only delay your conversation and create a distraction. Let's
focus on these things for now. We can plan for Newmarket, if you're
up to it by then. If not, then maybe I'll take the saddle."

"Fair enough. Where is Lucy?"

"She and my sister are staying with me at the
Lion's Gate Inn. It's late, but I'm happy to take you there if
you'd like. I imagine you both want to see each other post
haste."

"I'd be in your debt even more than I already
am."

"Good, because I'm going to ask for your
sister's hand in marriage and I'd like your blessing."

Lucien's mouth dropped open and his eyes
widened in shock.

A light rapping on the door awakened Lucy.
Groggy, Lucy sat up and rubbed her eyes. What was the noise that
had awakened her? The rapping on the door started again. Awake now,
Lucy called out. "Who's there please?"

"Lucy, it's me, "Chalifour said in a low
voice from outside the door.

Lucy vaulted from the bed and grabbed her
wrapper.

"Lucien is with me," Chalifour said.

Lucy stopped. Lucien was here too? How had
things gone? "Wait, just wait, I'll be there in a moment." She
padded across the room in her bare feet and flung the door open.
Both Lucien and Chalifour were standing in the hallway. Suddenly
self conscious, Lucy ran her fingers through her hair and tugged at
her wrapper.

"Come in, come in! What happened?" Lucy
stepped aside and allowed them to pass. She closed the door and
walked to the small couch. Having men in her room at an inn, even
if one of them was her brother, was awkward. Changing her mind,
Lucy opted to sit on the bed and left the couch for Lucien.
Chalifour remained standing by the fireplace.

Barely able to contain herself, Lucy again
asked, "What happened?"

"It appears Chalifour has saved us from Lord
Perdan," Lucien smiled at Lucy.

"How, what?" Lucy looked from one to the
other.

"We both confronted Perdan. We caught him
trying to give Thor an apple undoubtedly tainted with something
unsavory. After a, well, a discussion of sorts, Perdan signed a
pledge attesting to your brother's honesty and to refraining from
any type of gambling which involves horse racing," Chalifour
said.

Lucien added, "Chalifour did most of the, uh,
persuading." He glanced at Chalifour. "Lord Perdan has also most
graciously agreed to return our money." A mischievous grin spread
across Lucien's face.

A smile crept across Lucy's face in answer to
his. Obviously there was a bit more to the story than they were
telling, but no matter, she would get all of the details from one
of them sooner or later.

Then the import of it all hit Lucy. Relief
surged through her veins and weakened her knees. It was over.
Perdan would no longer threaten her brother. He would be safe from
dishonor and ruination. Lucy sagged. The money would even be
repaid. She and Lucien could go on again as if nothing had
happened.

Except
. The smile faded from Lucy's
lips. She still needed to make amends with Lucien. Lucy’s heart
sank again. How was she going to explain everything to Lucien?
Would he understand? Would he believe her? She should be ecstatic.
Everything she wanted had occurred.
Well, almost
. But Lucy
still had to make her peace with Lucien.

Lucy glanced between Lucien and Chalifour, a
smile frozen on her face, butterflies bouncing around her stomach.
She tried to brighten her smile. "So, am I to understand we no
longer need to worry about Perdan? It's over?"

"Yes, it's over." Chalifour smiled at Lucy.
His smile offered the fulfillment of the promise he had made to
her. He gazed at her and a quizzical expression stole over his
face. Chalifour must have read the trepidation on her face and an
awkward silence fell. Chalifour glanced between Lucy and Lucien. "I
believe the two of you should have some time alone. I'll take my
leave of you now." He strode to the door and walked out without a
backward glance.

Lucy turned to face Lucien. "I don't even
know where to begin."

"What happened? I'm hurt, unconscious, and
essentially wake to find out you've forged my name on a contract,
which while I wanted, didn't have certain concessions we needed.
Then I find out you've obviously forged my name on a cheque paper
to pay our limited funds to Perdan for his blackmail demands. Then
I find out you've impersonated me in a bid to win at the Oaks until
you were exposed by Chalifour. Explain to me why you did these
things. You had no right, Lucy," Lucien said quietly. His eyes
searched hers.

Lucy stood and walked to stand before her
brother and dropped to her knees. "Lucien, I know I didn't have the
right. But please understand, you were gravely injured. No one knew
the full extent of your injuries, or how long it would be before
you recovered, or even," Lucy choked, hardly able to say the words,
"if you'd recover." She took a breath and continued. "The day after
you were brought home, Lord Perdan called at the house. He demanded
money for a debt. He said you owed him six thousand pounds. You
can't imagine my shock. When I inquired as to the nature of the
debt, he directed me to you. Only I couldn't ask you. You were
unconscious and I didn't know yet if you would ever even wake. Lord
Perdan demanded money. I reviewed your ledgers and saw you had been
making payments to him."

"So that's why you forged the cheque."

"Yes. It wasn't until later he informed me it
wasn't a debt of honor, but blackmail. I was petrified he would
ruin you, Lucien."

"But what about the contract?"

"Right after the incident with Lord Perdan,
Chali ... " Lucy's cheeks grew warm. Had Lucien noticed her slip of
tongue? "When Lord Chalifour called on you to finalize your
contract, I assumed," wrongly, Lucy thought, "there would be money
exchanging hands. I was afraid to apprise Chalifour of your true
state of health. I led him to believe you were fine. When he
returned with the contract and I realized there was no exchange of
money, I couldn't very well admit I lied to a peer. Besides, you
had been working with him on it for some time, so I signed it for
you."